Agricultural Operations Management

major

Agricultural Operations Management combines hands-on applied coursework and core business principles with emerging technologies and sustainable methods. Students gain experience in systems management, environmental quality, energy efficiency, agricultural machinery, GIS/GPS technology, remote sensing, irrigation, power systems, water control, and precision agriculture.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering is founded on developing, teaching, and applying engineering principles to improve and sustain agricultural and biological systems for current and future generations.
More Info | 352.392.1864 (tel) | 352.392.4092 (fax)

P.O. Box 110570
Frazier Rogers Hall
1741 Museum Road, Bldg. 474
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-0570
Map

Curriculum

Students gain technical experience in systems management, environmental quality, energy efficiency, agricultural machinery, GIS/GPS remote sensing, computers programs, irrigation, power systems, water control and precision agriculture. Through interdisciplinary, holistic training in agricultural, natural systems, and business management, AOM students can identify systems problems, formulate possible solutions, evaluate the impact of alternatives and then implement a best solution. 

The curriculum supports students who plan to seek career opportunities in commercial business operations and management. In addition to hands-on applied skills, students also will take courses in economics, accounting, business, finance, sales and business management.

For graduates in AOM, there is an abundance of job opportunities. The program provides a solid foundation in management of technical assets, infrastructure, money, and personnel. Graduates become an integral part of the profitable operations of many types of businesses, such as grove management, commercial nurseries, building construction and materials, cattle operations, regulatory agencies and citrus processing.

A major strength of the AOM program is its small class sizes. Students benefit from engaging discussion in a welcoming environment, interacting with and getting to know professors, and connecting with classmates through hands-on projects, activities and club functions.

The Agricultural Operations Management program is housed in Frazier-Rogers Hall with laboratories, classrooms and a student computing lab, and also features an additional
off-site construction laboratory on Museum Road.

The program features electives in focused areas of concentration:

  • Sustainable Energy and Facilities
  • Agribusiness Management
  • Animal Production Management
  • Fishery and Aquatic Production
  • Horticulture and Crop Management
  • Soil and Water Science

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

Semester 2

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs, with a minimum grade of C.
  • 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs, with a minimum grade of C.
  • 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs, with a minimum grade of C.
  • 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

  • Complete remaining critical-tracking courses, including labs, with a minimum grade of C.
  • 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
Select one: 3-4
Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1 (Critical Tracking)
Introductory Botany (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
Select one: 3-4
Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics)
Survey of Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics)
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement; with Diversity or International 3
Elective 2
 Credits14-16
Semester Two
Select one: 4
Introduction to Financial Accounting (Critical Tracking)
Advisor-approved alternative (Critical Tracking)
CHM 2045
2045L
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
4
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities with Diversity or International 3
Gen Ed Physical Sciences 3
 Credits17
Semester Three
AOM 2520 Global Sustainable Energy: Past, Present and Future 3
Select one: 3-4
Economic Issues, Food and You
Principles of Macroeconomics (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Select one: 4
Applied Physics 1
and Laboratory for Applied Physics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
Introduction to Principles of Physics
and Laboratory for Applied Physics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
PSY 2012 General Psychology (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3
 Credits13-14
Semester Four
Quest 2 3
Select one: 3
Effective Oral Communication (Critical Tracking)
Introduction to Public Speaking (Critical Tracking)
ENC 2210 Technical Writing (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Composition) 3
Approved elective 3
 Credits12
Semester Five
AEB 3300
Agricultural and Food Marketing
or Principles of Marketing
3-4
AEB 3133
Principles of Agribusiness Management
or Principles of Management
3-4
AOM 3220 Agricultural Construction and Maintenance 3
AOM 3333 Pesticide Application Techniques 3
Approved elective 3
 Credits15-17
Summer After Semester Five
AOM 3734 Irrigation Principles and Practices in Florida 3
 Credits3
Semester Six
ALS 3133
Agricultural and Environmental Quality
or Introduction to Biofuels
3
AOM 4314C Power and Machinery Management 3
SWS 3022 Introduction to Soils in the Environment 3
Approved electives 6
 Credits15
Semester Seven
Select one business law, ethics, or human resources course: 3-4
Agricultural Risk Management and the Law
Agricultural and Natural Resource Law
Agricultural and Natural Resource Ethics
The Legal Environment of Business
AOM 4642 Environmental Systems for Agricultural Structures 3
AOM 4643 Environmental Hydrology: Principles and Issues 3
AOM 4933 Professional Practices in Agricultural Operations Management 1
Approved electives 6
 Credits16-17
Semester Eight
AOM 4434 Precision Agriculture 3
AOM 4444C Electrical Power and Instrumentation for Agricultural Operations Management 3
AOM 4455 Agricultural Operations and Systems 3
AOM 4461 Sustainable Agricultural Systems 3
Approved elective 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits120

The Agricultural Operations Management (AOM) curriculum integrates business and technical knowledge of agricultural operations. Knowledge is developed through formal courses, laboratory experimentation and individual experience. Students will learn to incorporate technical agricultural skills with modern business techniques and to communicate these results effectively in an appropriate presentation style.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Complete modules, assignments, exams, projects, and presentations that fulfill the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) in the Agricultural Operations Management program, presented in three parts. One part will be given in one or more of the following required courses:
  • AOM 4455Agricultural Operations and Systems3
    AOM 3734Irrigation Principles and Practices in Florida3
    AOM 4314CPower and Machinery Management3
    or AOM 3734 Irrigation Principles and Practices in Florida
    AOM 4642Environmental Systems for Agricultural Structures3
    or AOM 4434 Precision Agriculture

Completion of these requirements ensures that students meet the expectations, goals, and learning outcomes of the program. All courses listed above are required in the AOM major. Student learning outcomes in the AOM program (see below) are either introduced, reinforced, and/or assessed in these courses (see Curriculum Map). 

  • Satisfactory completion of final project in AOM 4455.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Describe fundamental concepts, skills, and processes in Agricultural Operations Management.
  2. Apply fundamental concepts, skills, and processes in Agricultural Operations Management.

Critical Thinking

  1. Critically evaluate information or data in Agricultural Operations Management.
  2. Solve problems in Agricultural Operations Management.

Communication

  1. Communicate effectively in written form in a manner appropriate in Agricultural Operations Management.
  2. Communicate effectively orally in a manner appropriate in Agricultural Operations Management.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4 SLO 5 SLO 6
AEC 3030C I
AEC 3033C I
AOM 2520 I I A R
AOM 3220 I I I
AOM 3734 R R R I
AOM 4314C R R R R
AOM 4455 A A A A A

Assessment Types

  • Course modules
  • Presentations
  • Exams
  • Final grades